We left Lords (of the Manor) at 7 am for a 3 mile round trip hike to Lower Slaughter and back for breakfast at 8.

Breakfast was a nice spread of pastries, bread, fruit, cereals, yoghurt and juices. Ordered eggs, bacon, sausage and mushrooms.

We checked out and drove north to Stourton and the Cotswolds Distillery. Their recently opened tasting room and store was light and bright.

We were offered a tasting of 5 gins, 7 whiskies and their very special “1616 – Barrel Aged Gin. You will never find a better (and free) tasting anywhere.

We more than compensated them by buying Cotswolds Distillery clothing, hunter flasks and other items. They filled up one flask with 1616 for the ultimate roadie.

It was then off to Stratford-upon-Avon and the Arden Hotel.

After checking in we set out to experience Shakespeare’s birthplace, exhibits, the New House, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Hall’s Croft.

After the tour, we had Gin and Tonics and dinner at The Dirty Duck (The Black Swan years ago) and called it a night.